New Jersey’s top players shape the direction of the franchise. Their contracts, roles, and long-term value define how the team builds around them. With talk surfacing again about Quinn Hughes and New Jersey’s level of interest, that core naturally becomes part of the conversation.
The link between the two teams isn’t surprising, but it leads to the real point: what would the Devils actually give up?
Why Nico Hischier and Jesper Bratt Aren’t on the Table for Quinn Hughes?
Discussions between the Devils and Vancouver Canucks about Quinn Hughes have been confirmed by Elliotte Friedman, though there is no sign of urgency or movement toward a deal. Even so, speculation has prompted fans and analysts to create trade ideas, including the suggestion that New Jersey might consider moving Nico Hischier or Jesper Bratt to make a blockbuster offer possible.
That idea doesn’t hold up under any realistic scenario.
Harman Dayal of The Athletic addressed it directly, writing that “there’s no chance that Jesper Bratt or Nico Hischier would be available.” Both players represent a combined $113.75 million in signed value, but more importantly, they represent New Jersey’s stability and identity.
Hischier, on a seven-year, $50.75 million deal with a $7,250,000 cap hit, is the captain and former first overall pick. At 26, he plays heavy minutes, drives matchups, and gives the Devils reliability down the middle that most teams look years to find.
Bratt complements that structure differently but with equal importance. His eight-year, $63 million contract reflects his role as one of the team’s primary playmakers and transition drivers. At 27, he is well into his prime and remains a consistent point producer on the wing.
Moving either one simply works against the direction New Jersey is building toward. Dayal did note that “New Jersey can combine some of these pieces to make a competitive offer if the Canucks are ever forced to trade Hughes,” pointing toward prospects and draft capital instead.
That approach aligns with how the Devils have managed their roster, aiming to add talent without disrupting what already functions well.
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Hughes is an elite defenseman, and any club engaging in trade talks would need to bring a significant return. New Jersey has the pieces to stay involved, but not at the cost of Hischier or Bratt, whose roles remain too central to the team’s structure and long-term outlook.
If the conversation around Hughes continues, the Devils may still be mentioned. What remains clear is that their captain and their top playmaker stay in New Jersey, not in a trade package.
